What is percale?
Percale is a plain fabric woven from a very fine light thread. Percale can be 100% cotton or a blend of polyester and cotton. The more threads, the better the quality of the percale.

What is thread count?
Thread count is how many threads cross each other in a square inch. If the count is less than 180 threads crossing each other in a square inch, the fabric is not percale.
The higher the thread count, the better the quality of the percale.
For example. Warp threads run vertically or from top to bottom in the weave.
Weft threads run horizontally or from left to right in the weave. If there are 90 warp threads and 110 weft threads crossing each other per square inch, the total number of threads per square inch would be 200, hence 200 thread count percale.

Should I choose cotton or polycotton percale?
Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of cotton percale

• Cotton, being a natural fibre, breathes easily and absorbs perspiration from the sleeper and releases the moisture into the atmosphere
• Cotton can be washed at higher temperatures
• Cotton never becomes static
• Cotton is a renewable resource

Disadvantages of cotton percale

• It creases easily. For best results iron while slightly damp
• Difficult to iron when dry

Advantages of polycotton percale

• The fabric has a smooth finish and the polyester content gives the fabric added strength
• The fabric is easy to iron due to the polyester content

Disadvantages of polycotton percale

• The polyester content does not breath and so the perspiration given off by the sleeper is not absorbed
• The polyester content may cause the sheets to become static, especially after being tumble dried
• The polyester content may become odorous over time
• Polycotton may become grey over time